Memories of 1950's Television ~ "Leave it to Beaver" Part 2

Jerry Mathers ......... Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver
Tony Dow .............. Wally Cleaver
Barbara Billingsley ... June Cleaver
Hugh Beaumont ......... Ward Cleaver
Ken Osmond ............ Eddie Haskel
Frank Bank ............ Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford
Sue Randall ........... Miss Landers
Rusty Stevens ......... Larry Mondello
Midge Blake ........... Mrs. Mondello
Diane Brewster ........ Miss Canfield
Richard Correll ....... Richard Rickover
Richard Deacon ........ Fred Rutherford
Stanley Fafara ........ Whitey Whitney
Tiger Fafara .......... Tooey
Buddy Hart ............ Chester
Burt Mustin ........... Gus
Doris Packer .......... Mrs. Rayburn
Steven Talbot ......... Gilbert Bates
Jeri Weil ............. Judy Hensler

Jerry Mathers, born June 2, 1948 is best known for playing Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver on the six season sitcom known to all as "Leave it to Beaver." He also starred in several commercials and movies prior to and after his famous sitcom and even had a band for a while called "Beaver and the Trappers." In 1996, he was diagnosed with diabetes, went on to lose 55 pounds and has been an advocate of living a healthy life. He was married to his second wife, Rhonda for 14 years and had three children; Noah born in 1978 who works in film and video production and two daughters, Mercedes born in 1982 and Gretchen born in 1985. He was lucky to have great advisors handling his money and has kept that going with real estate developing and banking as well as a long running catering business.

Tony Dow, born April 13, 1945 is best known for playing Wally Cleaver is an American film producer, director and becoming a serious and renowned bronze sculptor. After "Leave it to Beaver" he appeared in several television series as a guest star from 1963 until 2003. He is currently in his second marriage and has one son, Christopher, born in 1973 by his first wife. In the 1990's he was diagnosed with clinical depression and has appeared in several self-help videos on that subject.

Hugh Beaumont, born in 1909 and died at 73 in 1982 of a heart attack. He began his show business career in 1931 appearing in theaters, nightclubs and on the radio. He acted in many films from the 1940's until the 1960's without appearing in the credits. He retired from films in the 1960's to become a Christmas tree farmer in Minnesota with his wife. He had a stroke in 1972; from which he never fully recovered. I believe Ward Cleaver will never be forgotten.

Barbara Billingsley was born in 1915 and died in 2010 at the ripe old age of 94. She starred in several movies starting in 1948 until 2003 and in television programs from 1953 until 2007. My absolute favorite is her as the jive talking white lady in the movie "Airplane!" in 1980, but June Cleaver will always represent the stay-at-home mother of the 50's. She was up and dressed before everyone and had breakfast on the table and a smile on her face.

Ken Osmond was best known as the obnoxious trouble making friend of Wally Cleaver named Eddie Haskell. He was always berating Beaver and trying to cause trouble while being the polite and complimentary creep to adults. He appeared on several shows during the 80's and 90's where he often reprised his role of Eddie Haskell or Eddie Haskell Sr. In his real life he was not a porn star as many thought, but a police officer for the LAPD where he worked in narcotics, vice and motorcycle patrol. He was shot several times while chasing a stolen car and was saved by his bullet-proof vest and belt buckle and still receives a medical disability from the LAPD. He does guest appearances at film festivals and nostalgia conventions since his retirement.

Sue Randall played Beaver's favorite teacher; Miss Landers. She also played in several television series and motion pictures including "Desk Set" with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. A heavy smoker; she died in 1984 at age 49 of lung cancer.

Richard Deacon played Fred Rutherford, a co-worker of Ward and overbearing father of the town bully Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford. He also played Mel Cooley on the "Dick Van Dyke Show" along with numerous bit parts in movies and television programs; he also played on Broadway and was a gourmet cook. He died in 1984 at 63 and it was revealed after his death that he was gay, although he never tried to hide his homosexuality.

Burt Mustin played the perennial old person in so many movies and television shows during the 60's, 70's and 80's. He played Beaver's friend Gus the Fireman in 15 episodes of the show.

Sources:

http://www.crazyabouttv.com/leaveittobeaver.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_It_to_Beaver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Mathers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Dow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Beaumont
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Billingsley
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Osmond
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sue_Randall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Deacon_(actor)